Wireless sensor system, method and apparatus with switch and outlet control

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configured to receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the first data packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packet including a payload associated with a value of a measurement that was measured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, the second data packet includes a payload associated with the value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/012,244, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,638,399, entitled “Wireless SensorSystem, Method and Apparatus with Switch and Outlet Control,” filed Feb.1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/848,667, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,251,699, entitled “Wireless SensorSystem, Method and Apparatus with Switch and Outlet Control,” filed Mar.21, 2013, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/613,753, entitled “Wireless Sensor System with Switchand Outlet Control,” filed Mar. 21, 2012; the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments described herein relate generally to wireless sensorsystems, methods and apparatus with switch and outlet control.

Known systems exist for remotely controlling power to switches andoutlets. Such system, however, may use long cabling runs to control anindividual switch or outlet. Other known system may frequently usebattery power, causing rapid depletion of onboard batteries and/or mayuse additional cabling to provide power to local switch and outletcontrollers.

Thus, a need exists for a wireless sensor systems, methods and apparatuswith switch and outlet control.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configuredto be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configuredto receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from thewireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the firstdata packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packetincluding a payload associated with a value of a measurement that wasmeasured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured tosend the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, thesecond data packet includes a payload associated with the value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junction boxaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor coupled to anetwork gateway device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a wireless sensor according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front view of a wireless sensor accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of the wireless sensor shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor and junctionbox according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a wireless sensor, a faceplate, and ajunction box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a front perspective view of an antenna ofa wireless sensor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a front perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction box accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the antennashown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction box accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in a junction boxaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configuredto be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configuredto receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from thewireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the firstdata packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packetincluding a payload associated with a value of a measurement that wasmeasured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured tosend the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, thesecond data packet includes a payload associated with the value.

In some embodiments, the wireless sensor is further configured to beoperatively coupled to a wireless repeater that is configured to receivethe first data packet or the second data packet. In some embodiments,the wireless repeater has a buffer to store at least one of the firstdata packet or the second data packet for an amount of time. In someembodiments, the wireless repeater is a first wireless repeater, and thefirst wireless repeater discards the first data packet based on thepayload of the first data packet being the same as the payload of thesecond data packet when the second data packet has been sent from asecond wireless repeater and the first data packet is stored in a bufferof the wireless repeater.

In some embodiments, the wireless repeater adds a received signalstrength value to the first data packet or the second data packet whenthe first data packet or the second data packet is received. In someembodiments the second time is after the first time, substantially nodelay occurs after the first time and before the second time. In someembodiments the wireless sensor is configured to send the first datapacket and the second data packet independent of an instruction from thenetwork gateway device. In some embodiments, the wireless sensor isconfigured to be operatively coupled to a wireless repeater that (1)receives the first data packet via a first antenna associated with afirst transceiver and (2) receives the second data packet via a secondantenna associated with a second transceiver. In some embodiments thewireless sensor is configured to be coupled to the network gatewaydevice that (1) selects a first antenna or a second antenna, based onreceived signal strength, to receive the first data packet, and (2)selects a third antenna or a fourth antenna, based on received signalstrength, to receive the second data packet.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configuredto be operatively coupled to a network gateway device. The wirelesssensor transmits a first data packet at a first time on a firstfrequency and a second data packet at a second time on a secondfrequency. The apparatus includes at least one wireless repeaterconfigured to retransmit the first data packet and the second datapacket. The wireless repeater has a first antenna associated with afirst transceiver and a second antenna associated with a secondtransceiver. The first antenna and first transceiver are configured toreceive the first data packet, and the second antenna and secondtransceiver are configured to receive the second data packet. Theapparatus includes a network gateway device configured to receive one ofthe first data packet or the second data packet.

In some embodiments at least one wireless repeater including a buffer tostore at least one of the first data packet or the second data packetfor an amount of time. In some embodiments at least one wirelessrepeater is configured to add a received signal strength value to thefirst data packet or the second data packet when the first data packetor the second data packet is received. In some embodiments the secondtime is after the first time, substantially no delay occurs after thefirst time and before the second time. In some embodiments the wirelesssensor is configured to send the first data packet and the second datapacket independent of an instruction from the network gateway device.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless sensor includingan antenna portion and configured to be operatively coupled, via theantenna portion, to a network gateway device. The wireless sensorincludes a housing configured to be at least partially disposed withinan electrical enclosure. The wireless sensor is configured to send, tothe network gateway device a signal indicative of a value of acharacteristic of the wireless sensor.

In some embodiments the wireless sensor is configured to send the signalusing a dipole antenna. In such embodiments the antenna portion is afirst half of the dipole antenna and a metal portion of the electricalenclosure is a second half of the dipole antenna. In some embodimentsthe wireless sensor is configured to send the signal using an antenna.In such embodiments, the antenna portion is a monopole element of theantenna and a metal portion of the electrical enclosure is a groundplane for the monopole element. In some embodiments a ground of thewireless sensor is isolated from the electrical enclosure by adielectric. In some embodiments the antenna portion of the wirelesssensor is configured to be operatively coupled to a metal portion of thejunction box that is an antenna ground plane. In some embodiments thewireless sensor is configured to be operatively coupled to a batterydisposed within the housing. In some embodiments the wireless sensorincludes an energy harvester device separate from an energy sourceassociated with the junction box. In some embodiments the characteristicis an energy usage. In some embodiments the wireless sensor includes analternating current outlet. In some embodiments the wireless sensorincludes an alternating current switch. In some embodiments thecharacteristic is a status of the switch.

A wireless sensor system can be used to measure and monitorenvironmental characteristics of, for example, a room of a building,characteristics of a wireless sensor itself, for example, whether a plugis in use, and/or to effect a characteristic of a room or the wirelesssensor. By way of example, a wireless sensor can include a light oroutlet switch configured to sense and/or control whether an electricalswitch controlling a light or outlet is opened or closed. In anotherexample, a wireless sensor can include carbon monoxide sensor configuredto measure a level of carbon monoxide in an area. In some embodiments,aspects of a wireless sensor system can be retrofitted into an existingsystem without the need to make additional changes to the existingsystem. For example, a light switch type wireless sensor describedherein can replace an existing light switch without the need to addadditional wiring, replace junction boxes, etc.

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, the term “a data packet” is intended to mean a datapacket or a combination of data packets.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 100 according to an embodiment, system 100 includes awireless sensor 110. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thewireless sensor 110 may be disposed within an electrical enclosure (notshown). System 100 includes a wireless repeater 130, a wireless repeater130′, and a network gateway device 140.

System 100 includes a wireless sensor 110 that is configured to measurea characteristic of wireless sensor 110 and/or of a room with whichwireless sensor 110 is located. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110can include an environmental sensor, for example, to measure atemperature, pressure, carbon gas levels, humidity etc. In someembodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include an area sensor, forexample, to measure motion, light level, proximity, touch, etc. In someembodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include an electrical sensor, forexample, to measure and/or control an energy usage, switch state, outletstate, etc. In some embodiments, at least a portion of wireless sensor110 can be disposed within the electrical enclosure. In someembodiments, an electrical enclosure can be a standard electricaljunction box, for example, a metal and/or plastic box that is configuredto be disposed in and/or on a wall and/or other support, and that isconfigured to house one or more electrical connections and/or associatedcomponents, for example, switches, outlets, etc. In some embodiments,the electrical enclosure can generally be any enclosure normally used tohouse AC or DC wiring electrical connections, such as groundedenclosures (e.g. light fixtures, breaker boxes, distribution panels,etc.). In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can include a sensormodule (not shown in FIG. 1), processor module (not shown in FIG. 1), afirst radio module (not shown in FIG. 1), a second radio module (notshown in FIG. 1), a first antenna (not shown in FIG. 1), a secondantenna (not shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110can include a battery (not shown), a switch (not shown), ananalog-to-digital converter (not shown), ports (not shown), interfaces(not shown), etc. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can operateas a wireless repeater, for example, similar to wireless repeater 130described below, for other wireless sensors.

Wireless sensor 110 can include the sensor module to measure a value ofa characteristic of wireless sensor 110 and/or an environment withinwhich wireless sensor 110 is located. For example, the sensor module canmeasure an environmental value (temperature, pressure, motion etc), amotion and/or occupancy value, and/or a characteristic and/or state ofan electrical component associated with wireless sensor 110 (open orclosed light switch, electrical outlet plugged in or in use, etc). Insome embodiments, the sensor module can be included in the processormodule. The sensor module can measure the value at a predetermined timeand/or on a predetermined schedule, in response to an event, etc. Thesensor module can provide the value of a measurement to the processormodule. In some embodiments, sensor module 110 can include a clockmodule (not shown) to prompt a measurement based on the predeterminedtime and/or schedule. In such embodiments, the clock module can includea “loose tolerance” of between about 5-10%. In such an embodiment, theclock module can include an RC based oscillator to implement the loosetolerance. In such embodiments, the RC based oscillator can be includedin the processor module. In this manner, a system 100 that includes morethan one wireless sensor 110 that each includes a clock module havingsubstantially the same setting can, via radio/antenna sets, send signalsat different times to reduce communication collisions. In some suchembodiments, the clock can determine when a measurement is taken and/orwhen a data packet including the value of the measurement is sent. Thepredetermined time for measuring a value and/or transmitting anassociated packet can be programmed, user adjustable via an inputdevice, event driven, randomly derived, or set by network gateway device140.

Wireless sensor 110 can include a processor module to define at leastone data packet including values associated with measurements of thesensor module. The sensor module can define one or more copies of theone or more data packets. A data packet can include sensor data (e.g.value of measurement taken by the sensor module), control data (e.g. aswitch has been opened or closed), control requests (e.g. should aswitch be opened or closed), network identification information (e.g.node identification number, network identification number), securityinformation (e.g. data encryption key), etc. The processor module caninclude a computer processor or microprocessor and/or memory, forexample a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, adatabase, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memorycan be used to hold data such as, but not limited to, schedules, setpoints, instructions, etc. for use to control or communicate data towireless sensor 110, repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140.In this manner, the processor module stores and sends the at least onedata packet and the one or more copies of the at least one data packetto the first radio and/or to the second radio at different times. Inthis manner, wireless sensor 110 can send a data packet, which mayinclude the value of the measurement, control data, control requestsetc, at more than one time and from more than one antenna.

Wireless sensor 110 can include one or more transmitter sets, forexample a first transmitter set (e.g, the first radio and the associatedfirst antenna), and a second transmitter set (e.g., the second radio andassociated second antenna), to transmit data packets including a valueof a measurement, control data, control requests etc from wirelesssensor 110 to, for example, wireless repeaters 130, 130′. A transmitterset can transmit a data packet using any modulation type, for exampleDirect Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) or Frequency Hopping SpreadSpectrum (FHSS). In some embodiments, a hybrid DSSS and FSSS system,frequency hopping direct sequence spread spectrum (FHDSSS), can be usedspreading data packets across both frequency and time to reduce theprobability of interference from other transmitter sets (e.g., withinwireless sensor 110, another wireless sensor, or another deviceincluding a transmitter set). In a hybrid system, the data packet can betransmitted using a DSSS signal that can be hopped from channel tochannel to increase robustness. In some embodiments, the first antennaand/or the second antenna can be a dipole (e.g., omnidirectional)antenna or can be a patch (e.g., directional) antenna.

In some embodiments, each transmitter set of wireless sensor 110 canoperate on a different channel substantially simultaneously. In someembodiments, a transmitter set of wireless sensor 110 can operate on twoor more different channel sequentially. In this manner, wireless sensor110 may not need to verify that other components of system 100 areoperating on a particular channel. In other words, by sending a copy ofa data packet on multiple channels of system 100, the other componentsof system 100 should receive at least one of the data packet and/or thecopies of the data packet. In some such embodiments, and as discussedbelow, other components of system 100 can include multiple transmittersets, such that those components can receive at least one of the datapacket and/or copies of the data packet. In such embodiments, an amountof energy used to send a data packet and/or copies of a data packet atmultiple times and/or on multiple channels can be lower than the energyused to verify a component is operating on a particular channel. In suchembodiments, a first channel and a second channel can be substantiallyopposite ends of the frequency band to maximize the probability that anysource of potential interference is avoided by the other channel. As anexample wireless sensor 110 can transmit, substantially simultaneouslyor sequentially, on a first channel at 903 MHz and on a second channelat 927 MHz in the 902-928 MHz band.

In some embodiments, and as described above, wireless sensor 110 cansend a data packet and/or copies of the data packet on two or morechannels and at two or more times. In such embodiments, wireless sensor110 can be in a sleep mode (or other low power or zero power mode ofoperation) for a portion of the time to conserve the power of a powersupply (e.g., battery). At the predetermined interval and/or schedule,wireless sensor 110 can awake from the sleep mode and can be in anactive mode. Wireless sensor 110 can measure a value of a characteristicand define a data packet including the value. Wireless sensor 110 candefine a data packet including control data or control requests. In suchembodiments, as discussed above, wireless sensor 110 can send a datapacket via a first transmitter set at a first time, and then send afirst copy of the data packet from the first transmitter set at a secondtime, after the first time. In such embodiments, wireless sensor 110 cansend a second copy of the data packet via a second transmitter set at athird time, and then send a third copy of the data packet from thesecond transmitter set at a fourth time, after the third time.

In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 can receive data for setup ofsystem 100, including a network ID, security features, and a wirelesssensor identification numbers. In some embodiments, after the setup ofsystem 100, wireless sensor 110 can be designated as a transmit-onlywireless sensor. In some embodiments, wireless sensor 110 canperiodically send a status request data packet to network gateway device140, via wireless repeater 130 and wireless repeater 130′ if necessary,and can be designated as a transmit/receive device to receive commends.

System 100 includes wireless repeater 130 configured to receive datapackets from wireless sensor 110 and/or wireless repeater 130′, and tosend data packets to network gateway device 140. System 100 includeswireless repeater 130′, similar to wireless repeater 130, and configuredto receive data packets from wireless sensor 110 and to send datapackets to wireless repeater 130. Wireless repeaters 130,130′ caninclude a computer/micro processor or microprocessor and/or memory, forexample a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, adatabase, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), anelectrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memorymay be used to hold data such as, but not limited to, schedules, setpoints, instructions, etc. for use to control or communicate data towireless sensor 110, repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140.In this manner, wireless repeaters 130, 130′ can store received datapackets for a predetermined period of time in a buffer. In someembodiments, the buffer of a wireless repeater can store a received datapacket and can compare the data packet to other data packets in thebuffer and/or data packets that have been recently received and/orforwarded. In such embodiments, the wireless repeater can discardduplicate data packets. By way of example, wireless repeater 130 canreceive a first data packet from wireless sensor 110, and can receive asecond data packet, identical to the first data packet, from wirelesssensor 110 via wireless repeater 130′. In such embodiments, wirelessrepeater 130 can discard either the first data packet or the second datapacket, for example, based on which was received first (e.g., first infirst out, “FIFO”), which has a stronger received signal strength,and/or another metric. In some embodiments, wireless repeater 130 candiscard packets after a period of time, for example 5 seconds.

Wireless repeaters 130,130′ can include at least one transmitter set toreceive and/or send signals, including data packets. In someembodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can include at least the samenumber of transmitter sets as wireless sensor 110. In this manner,wireless repeaters 130,130′ can send and receive any data packet sentfrom wireless sensor 110. By way of example, wireless sensor 110 caninclude a first transmitter set sending data packets on a first channeland at a first time and a second time, and can include a secondtransmitter set sending data packets on a second channel and at a thirdtime and a fourth time. In such an example, wireless repeaters 130,130′can include a first transmitter set operating on the first channel and asecond transmitter set operating on the second channel such that eitherof wireless repeaters 130,130′ can receive four copies of a data packet.By way of example, wireless sensor 110 can include a first transmitterset sending data packets on a first channel at a first time and secondchannel at a second time. In such an example, wireless repeaters130,130′ can each include a first transmitter set operating on the firstchannel and a second transmitter set operating on the second channelsuch that either of wireless repeaters 130,130′ can receive two copiesof a data packet without a need to switch between the channels. In suchan example, the system 100 can include multiple frequencies, multipletimes, multiple data paths, and multiple antennas, i.e. the system 100has frequency diversity, time diversity, spatial diversity, and antennadiversity. Said another way, the system 100 has concurrent frequency,time, spatial, and antenna diversity. By way of another example,wireless repeaters 130,130′ can each include a first transmitter setsending or receiving data packets on a first channel at a first time anda second transmitter set sending or receiving data packets on a secondchannel at a second time. In such an example, the first time and thesecond time may overlap.

In some embodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can calculate areceived signal strength indication (RSSI) upon receipt of a datapacket. In such embodiments, wireless repeaters 130,130′ can add thisdata to the data packet, for example, at the end of a data packetpayload. In this manner, network gateway device 140 can examine the RSSIdata for each hop between wireless sensor 110 and network gateway device140. In some such embodiments, network gateway device 140 can use theadded data to determine a number of hops between wireless sensor 110 andnetwork gateway device 140. In such embodiments, network gateway device140 can compare the number of hops actually used to an expected numberof hops, for example, to determine an efficiency and/or health of system100.

System 100 includes network gateway device 140 configured to receivedata packets from wireless repeater 130,130′ or directly from wirelesssensor 110. Network gateway device 140 can receive data packets using awireless protocol, for example, with one or more transmitter sets, andcan convert the data packets to a wired protocol for furthertransmission via a wired network (not shown) coupled to the networkgateway device 140. By way of example, network gateway device 140 cantransform data packets received in a wireless format, for example802.15.4, WiFi, cellular (GSM, CDMA, etc.), or satellite, and convertthem into a different wireless protocol and/or a wired protocol suchas 1) Ethernet: BACnet/IP, BACnet/Ethernet, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP,Omron FINS, DNP3, SNMP, XML 2) RS-485: BACnet/MSTP, Metasys N2, ModbusRTU, JBus, DNP, YorkTalk, Allen Bradley DF1, and 3) FTT-10: LonWorks. Insome embodiments, network gateway device 140 can convert the datapackets to a wireless protocol for further transmission via a wirelessnetwork (not shown) such as for example 802.15.4, WiFi, cellular (GSM,CDMA, etc.), or satellite wireless networks. In such embodiments,network gateway device or wireless repeaters can have one or moreinput/outputs, each input/output configured to operate using a differentprotocol. By way of example, with respect to a building, network gatewaydevice 140 can include a first input/output operating using theBACnet/IP protocol for communication with a building heating,ventilation, and air conditioning system, can include a secondinput/output operating using the TCP/IP protocol for communication via anetwork, such as the internet, for viewing on a browser based page, andcan include a third input/output operating using a serial bus connection(e.g., universal serial bus) for local (e.g., at network gateway device140) communication, configuration, etc. The input/outputs can be used,for example, for monitoring, graphing, alarming (via email, textmessage, or other method), setup of the wireless network, etc.

Similar to wireless repeaters 130,130′ described above, in someembodiments, network gateway device 140 can include the same number oftransmitter sets as wireless sensor 110 and/or wireless repeaters130,130′. In this manner, network gateway device 140 can send and/orreceive any data packet sent from wireless sensor 110 and/or fromwireless repeaters 130,130′. Similar to wireless repeaters 130,130′ andwireless sensor 110, network gateway device 140 can include acomputer/micro processor and/or memory, for example a random accessmemory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasableread-only memory (EEPROM), and/or so forth. Memory can be used to holddata such as, but not limited to, schedules, set points, instructions,etc. for use to control or communicate data to wireless sensor 110,repeaters 130, 131′, or network gateway device 140. In this manner, thenetwork gateway device 140 can store and send data packets, for exampleprior to and/or after conversion from a first protocol to a secondprotocol, as described above, or in response to data received from theone or more input/outputs.

In some embodiments, network gateway device 140 can coordinate thefrequency of the channel (or channels for multiple transmission setembodiments) at which wireless sensor 110 and wireless repeaters130,130′ operate. In such embodiments, network gateway device cantransmit a periodic instruction to switch channel(s) and/or network ID.In such an embodiment, network gateway device 140 can send such aninstruction, for example, every ten seconds. In some embodiments,whether an instruction is sent, for example to change channel(s), andwhat the instruction includes, can be based on the health of thenetwork, for example the number of hops a data packet takes, the RSSI ofdata packet transmissions, etc. In some embodiments, network gatewaydevice 140 can coordinate the security of the wireless system 100 bytransferring security data, wirelessly or via a wired connection, suchas a security key, to the wireless sensor 110 and wireless repeaters130,130′.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor 210 at leastpartially disposed within an electrical enclosure 220. Wireless sensor210 can be similar to and can include similar components to wirelesssensor described above. For example, wireless sensor 210 can include aprocessor 216 that can be similar to the processor described above withrespect to wireless sensor 110. Wireless sensor 210 includes a sensormodule 214, the processor 216, a radio 262, a radio 262′, an antenna264, and an antenna 264′. In some embodiments, radio 262, 262′ caninclude more than one antenna, for example, radio 262 includes antenna264 and can include a second antenna (not shown). In such an embodiment,wireless sensor 210 can select whichever of antenna 264 or the secondantenna has a stronger RSSI for use by radio 262.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 300 according to an embodiment, system 300 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 300includes a wireless sensor 310 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 300 includes a wireless repeater 330, awireless repeater 330′, and a network gateway device 340. Unlikewireless sensor 110 as shown in FIG. 1, wireless sensor 310 includes anenergy source 312 configured to supply wireless sensor 310 with energyindependent of an energy supply (not shown) of the electrical enclosure320. In some embodiments, energy source 312 can include a battery, forexample battery using stable battery chemistry, such as Lithium ThionylChloride or Lithium Iron Disulfide, that can chemically last up to andbeyond 25 years. In some embodiments, energy source 312 can include anenergy harvester, alone or in combination with a battery. In someembodiments, an energy harvesting device can be, for example, similar toan energy harvesting device described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,868,482,entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY RECTIFICATION FORVARIOUS LOADS,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 400 according to an embodiment. System 400 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 400includes a wireless sensor 410 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 400 includes a wireless repeater 430, awireless repeater 430′, and a network gateway device 440. Unlike system100 as shown in FIG. 1, system 400 includes a network gateway device440′. In such embodiments, network gateway devices 440, 441′ can beconfigured to receive data packets from wireless sensor 410 and wirelessrepeaters 430,430′. In this manner, if one of network gateway devices440, 440′ should fail, the other of network gateway devices 440, 440′can continue to operate. In some embodiments network gateway device 440can be associated with a first wired network and network gateway device440′ can be associated with a second wired network, at least a portionof which can be different from the first wired network. In someembodiments, network gateway device 440 can be in communication with aportion of a set of wireless repeaters and/or wireless sensors (notshown in its entirety) of system 400, and network gateway device 440′can be in communication with a different portion of the set of wirelessrepeaters and/or wireless sensors of system 400. In such embodiments,either of wireless repeaters 430,430′ can be included in the portion ofthe plurality of wireless repeaters and/or in the different portion ofthe set of wireless repeaters.

In some embodiments, it may be necessary to install a new networkgateway device (not shown) or a second network gateway device (notshown) within the wireless sensor system. This can be performed using alisten mode initiated by a button press on the network gateway device440,440′ or by using a computer interface on the network gateway device440,440′ and graphical user interface. As an example, the wirelesssensor 410 can be connected to the network gateway device 440,440′ byconnecting a mini-USB cable between the wireless sensor 410 and thenetwork gateway device 440,440′. At this time, the network gatewaydevice 440,440′ will instruct the wireless sensor 410 via the cable toset the appropriate channel and network ID and assign the wirelesssensor 410 a unique wireless sensor ID. If a network gateway device440,440′ ceases to operate, a new network gateway device 440,440′ can bedeployed by enabling listen mode to listen to the network for apredetermined period of time and store the IDs of all wireless sensors410 and map the wireless sensor 410 data to the appropriate memorylocation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor system(“system”) 500 according to an embodiment. System 500 can be similar tosystem 100 and can include similar components. For example, system 500includes a wireless sensor 510 that is similar to wireless sensor 110and at least a portion of which can be disposed within an electricalenclosure (not shown). System 500 includes a wireless repeater 530, awireless repeater 530′, and a network gateway device 540. As shown inFIG. 5, wireless sensor 510 can send a data packet C at a time t, shownas C(t). Wireless repeater 530 can receive the data packet C fromwireless sensor 510 and can determine by comparison to its buffer inmemory that the data packet C has not been sent by wireless repeater530. Wireless repeater 530 can randomly delay between about 25 ms to 100ms and can then broadcast the data packet C packet at time (t+y), shownas C(t+y). In some embodiments, because data packet C is broadcast,wireless sensor 510 can receive data packet C, the receipt of which canbe an acknowledgment of a successful transmission. In the example,wireless repeater 530′ can receive data packet C and can determine bycomparison to its buffer in memory that the packet has not been sent bywireless repeater 530′. Wireless repeater 530′ can randomly delaybetween about 25 ms to 100 ms and can then broadcast the packet at time(t+x), shown as C(t+x). The packet C(t+x) can be received by wirelessrepeater 530. Wireless repeater 530 can compare data packet C(t+x) toits buffer in memory, can determined that data packet C(t+y), equivalentto data packet C(t+x) has already been sent, and can discard and/orotherwise ignore data packet C(t+x).

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor 610 and anetwork gateway device 640 operatively coupled by a cable 650. Wirelesssensor 610 and network gateway device 640 can be similar to wirelesssensor 110 and network gateway device 140, respectively. FIG. 6 depictsa temporary hardwire connection between wireless sensor 610 and networkgateway device 640, for example, during an initial setup process.Network gateway device 640 can assign network ID, channels, dataencryption, security keys, and/or any other security feature.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of wireless sensor 710, specifically, a rockertype switch. FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front view of a wirelesssensor 810, and FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of wirelesssensor 810, specifically toggle (e.g., momentary) type switch. Wirelesssensors 710, 810 can be similar to and can include similar components towireless sensor 110 described above. Wireless sensors 710, 810 can beconfigured to be disposed within a standard junction box. In some suchembodiments, wireless sensors 710, 810 can include three terminals,and/or wires, to be coupled to a load line, a hot line, and a groundwithout the need for a neutral wire. In such embodiments, power foroperation of the wireless sensor 710, 810 can be obtained by a battery(not shown) contained within the wireless sensor 710,810 that can bemounted at least partially in the junction box. In some embodiments,wireless sensors 710, 810 can harvest energy by trickling a small amountof current from the load line to the ground connection.

FIGS. 10-15 are schematic illustrations of wireless sensors according toembodiments described herein. Specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates awireless sensor 1010 including an antenna 1064 disposed within ajunction box 1020; FIG. 11 illustrates a wireless sensor 1110 includingan antenna 1164 disposed outside a junction box 1120; FIG. 12illustrates a wireless sensor 1210 including an energy harvester 1212 ina first configuration; FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless sensor 1310including an energy harvester 1312 in a second configuration; FIG. 14illustrates a wireless sensor 1410 including an energy harvester 1412 ina third configuration; and FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless sensor 1510including a power supply 1513 operatively coupled to a junction box1520. By way of example, a wireless sensor, for example, wirelesssensors 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510 can include a light or outletswitch configured to sense and/or control whether an electrical switchcontrolling a light or outlet is opened or closed.

Referring to FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1010 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1020, and can include a processormodule 1016, a radio 1062, an antenna 1064, a button 1066, a currenttransformer 1072, a switch 1074 (as an example a relay or TRIAC), aDC/DC converter 1076, and a regulator 1078. Wireless sensor 1010 canoperate as a light switch. For example, when button 1066 is pressed,lights associated with wireless sensor 1010 would turn ON or OFF byconnecting or disconnecting the load to the AC mains 1022, 1024(preferably at 120-277 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz). Wireless sensor 1010 can beconfigured such that, when button 1066 is pressed on, an interrupt isgenerated within the processor 1016, which can bring wireless sensor1010 out of a sleep mode. The processor 1016 can toggle a state ofswitch 1074 to power or de-power a load (e.g. lights) coupled towireless sensor 1010. Processor 1016 can send, using radio 1062 andantenna 1064, a change of state of wireless sensor 1010, based on, forexample, a state of switch 1074, to, for example, a building automationsystem (BAS) via a wireless sensor system, for example, as describedabove. In some embodiments, processor 1016 can store the state of theswitch and go back to sleep. In such embodiments, processor 1016 cantransmit data packets associated with the state on a predeterminedschedule and/or at a predetermined interval. Current transformer 1072can measure an amount of current provided to the load and can send avalue if the current provided to the data processor 1016, such that thedata processor 1016 can define and send a data packet can to, forexample, the BAS, via a wireless sensor system. In some embodiments,antenna 1064 can use at least a portion of electrical enclosure 1020 aspart of the antenna 1064. In such embodiments, a radio frequency (RF)current can flow on the exterior of the electrical enclosure 1020 insupport of radiation of the wireless (RF) data signal.

In some embodiments, the BAS can monitor the energy usage of the load.In such embodiments, a building having many standard (e.g., not wirelesssensors) switches, outlets, and sensors, can be retrofitted withwireless sensors described herein to allow the BAS to wirelessly controlthe loads on all switches and outlets, in addition to local control by auser. In some embodiments, a BAS may have a schedule of when a room isoccupied and unoccupied and use that data to switch ON and OFF wirelesssensors within that room. In such embodiments, a user can be in a roomlabeled unoccupied, and can manually operate the switch to enable theload. In some embodiments, a wireless sensor can include a timer tomaintain an ON state a predetermined or programmable time such as onehour. In such embodiments, the wireless sensor can listen for data fromthe BAS as to whether the room is still labeled unoccupied based on theschedule. When the room is still labeled as unoccupied, the wire sensorcan electronically remove power from the load.

Referring to FIG. 11, wireless sensor 1110 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1120, and can include a processormodule 1116, a radio 1162, an antenna 1164, a button 1166, a currenttransformer 1172, a switch 1174, a DC/DC converter 1176, and a regulator1178. Electrical enclosure 1120 can include AC mains 1122, 1124.Wireless sensor 1110 can be similar to and include similar components aswireless sensor 1010. For example, wireless sensor can include aprocessor module 1116 similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wirelesssensor 1010 depicted in FIG. 10, antenna 1164 of wireless sensor 1110 isat least partially disposed outside of electrical enclosure 1120.

Referring to FIG. 12, wireless sensor 1210 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1220, and can include the energyharvester 1212, a processor module 1216, a radio 1262, an antenna 1264,a button (not shown in FIG. 12), a current transformer 1272, a switch1274, a DC/DC converter 1276, and a regulator 1278. Electrical enclosure1220 can include AC mains 1222, 1224. Wireless sensor 1210 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor 1210 can include a processor module 1216similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1210 includes an energy harvester 1212,which can be similar to the energy harvesters described above.Specifically, when energy harvester 1212 is in the first configuration,for example, energy harvest 1212 can harvest energy from the currentflowing through wireless sensor 1210. Energy harvester 1212 cantransform a small portion of the current to a usable voltage. Thevoltage can be rectified to DC and can be used to recharge a battery oranother storage device such as a supercapacitor. As shown in FIG. 12,energy harvester 1212 can only harvest energy when the switch 1274 isclosed, connecting the line 1222 to the load 1224. In some embodiments,energy harvester 1212 can trickle a small current through a ground wire(not shown) which can enable the wireless sensor 1210 to harvest energyfrom the line 1222 when the load 1224 is disconnected by the switch1274. In such embodiments, the trickle current can be less than 6 mA,specifically, less than 3 mA.

Referring to FIG. 13, wireless sensor 1310 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1320, and can include the energyharvester 1312, a processor module 1316, a radio 1362, an antenna 1364,a button (not shown in FIG. 13), a current transformer 1372, a switch1374, a DC/DC converter 1376, and a regulator 1378. Electrical enclosure1320 can include AC mains 1322, 1324. Wireless sensor 1310 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor 1310 can include a processor module 1316similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1310 includes an energy harvester 1312,which can be similar to the energy harvesters described above.Specifically, when energy harvester 1312 is in the second configuration,for example the energy harvester 1312 can be independent from the ACcircuit. More specifically, in some embodiments, energy harvester 1312can be a solar cell. In such embodiments, the solar cell can be designedto be exposed to the outside of wireless sensor 1310 through a faceplate. The face plate can be a standard design or may be custom andintegrated in the wireless sensor 1310.

Referring to FIG. 14, wireless sensor 1410 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1420, and can include the energyharvester 1412, a processor module 1416, a radio 1462, an antenna 1464,a button (not shown in FIG. 14), a current transformer 1472, a switch1474, a DC/DC converter 1476, and a regulator 1478. Electrical enclosure1420 can include AC mains 1422, 1424. Wireless sensor 1410 can besimilar to and include similar components as wireless sensor 1010. Forexample, wireless sensor can include a processor module 1416 similar toprocessor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depicted in FIG. 10,wireless sensor 1410 includes an energy harvester 1412, which can besimilar to the energy harvesters described above. Specifically, whenenergy harvester 1412 is in the third configuration, for example, energyharvester 1412 can be designed to provide power to wireless sensor 1410independent of a battery. In such embodiments, energy harvester 1412 andthe battery may be diode OR-ed. In some embodiments, when the source ofenergy used for harvesting is not present (i.e. no light) a battery canbe the primary source of energy to power the wireless sensor 1410. Insuch embodiments, as the source of energy used for harvesting increases,e.g., as the ambient light in a room increases, energy harvester 1412can augment the battery. In such embodiments, when the source of energyused for harvesting reached a large enough value, energy harvester 1412can be the primary source of energy to power wireless sensor 1410. Insome embodiments, all energy may be provided by energy harvester 1412and no energy may be provided to the battery to power the wirelesssensor 1410. In such embodiments, if energy harvester 1412 hassufficient energy, it can power wireless sensor 1410 and maintain thebattery energy. In some embodiments, energy harvester 1412 can charge asupercapacitor or rechargeable battery.

Referring to FIG. 15, wireless sensor 1510 can be at least partiallydisposed within electrical enclosure 1520, and can include the powersupply 1513, a processor module 1516, a radio 1562, an antenna 1564, abutton (not shown in FIG. 15), a current transformer 1572, a switch1574, a DC/DC converter 1576, and a regulator 1578. Electrical enclosure1520 can include AC mains 1522, 1524 and neutral 1526. Wireless sensor1510 can be similar to and include similar components as wireless sensor1010. For example, wireless sensor can include a processor module 1516similar to processor module 1016. Unlike wireless sensor 1010 depictedin FIG. 10, wireless sensor 1510 includes a power supply 1513.Specifically, because electrical enclosure 1520 includes a neutral line1026, wireless sensor 1510 can receive power from, for example, buildingelectricity. Power supply 1513 can include an AC/DC converter.

As described herein, with reference to FIGS. 10-15, a wireless sensormay adjust or dim the electrical connection on the load wire via anymethod such as chopping the AC input from the line wire or by a 0-10Vsignal to an external dimming device (not shown).

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a portion of a wireless sensor 1610disposed within a electrical enclosure 1620. Specifically, wirelesssensor 1610 includes an antenna 1664, a faceplate 1668, a button 1666, abattery compartment door 1682 and a battery compartment door securingdevice 1684. As shown in FIG. 16, antenna 1664 can be disposed withinand/or adjacent to faceplate 1668. Battery compartment door 1682 canprovide access for installing and/or replacing a battery (not shown).Battery compartment door securing device 1684 secures batter compartmentdoor 1682 in a closed position and can include, for example, a screw orsnapping mechanism. In some embodiments, button 1666 may be implementedusing capacitive touch technology using one or more sensing locations.In some embodiments, button 1666 may give the ability to control theswitch and also dim the electrical connection between a line wire and aload wire.

As described herein, with reference to FIGS. 1-16, a wireless sensor canbe, at least partially disposed within an electrical enclosure,specifically a junction box, and one or more antennas can be disposedinternal, external, partially internal, or integral to the junction box.In some embodiments, a characteristic of the junction box can determinea positioning of an antenna. In some embodiments, the junction box caninclude metal or can include plastic. In some embodiments, a faceplateassociated with the junction box and/or wireless sensor can includeplastic and allow the antenna mounting within the junction box and RFenergy can exit the box through the plastic face plate when the junctionbox is metal. Alternatively, when the junction box is plastic, RF energycan exit through both the face plate and junction box. In someembodiments, the antenna can exit the junction box to maximizeperformance by minimizing the influence of the metal junction box. Insome embodiments, the antenna may be cabled to the junction box or maybe panel mounted on the side or top of the junction box, a stud, or awall.

In some embodiments, the antenna may use the junction box as a groundplane or as part of the antenna's radiating structure. In someembodiments, the antenna can also be formed by using a metal junctionbox and face plate and using a slot within the face plate. By way ofexample, a junction box can be metal. The metal of the junction box canprevent a standard antenna from working properly because the junctionbox can shield radiation and/or detune the antenna.

In some embodiments, the antenna may use the junction box as a groundplane for the antenna without a physical connection of the RF ground ofthe radio to the earth ground of the junction box. Isolation between thegrounds is performed using a dielectric. The RF signal establishes avirtual ground connection using the capacitance formed between the RFground and earth ground through the dielectric.

In some embodiments, an antenna can use metal of a junction box as partof the antenna to improve performance. In such embodiments, the antennacan use a plastic junction box cover. In such embodiments, the antennastructure includes a metal plane, orthogonal metal wings, and a pointfed plane. The point fed plane can be constructed on a dielectric suchas FR4 and can also have a superstrate that can cover the plane, and canbe made of a second dielectric, for example, plastic. In suchembodiments, the antenna is a hybrid between a patch antenna, aninverted-F antenna, and a dipole antenna. Additionally, the metal planeincludes orthogonal wings to ensure resonance in a multi-gang or plasticjunction box. In such an embodiment, the junction box acts as half of adipole antenna while the point fed plane acts as the other half. Themetal plane under the point fed plane can force the current associatedwith an RF wave to flow on the outside of the junction box to form adipole type antenna (the point fed plane can be the positive side of thedipole and the metal plane combined with the junction box metal andorthogonal wings can be the negative side of the dipole). In anotherexample, the junction box is a plastic junction box, and orthogonalwings allow the current associate with an RF wave to flow rearwards asis the case in a metal junction box. This can allow the resonance of theantenna to be maintained (return loss less then −7 dB). Said anotherway, the resonant frequency of an antenna occurs when the impedance ofthe antenna is the complex conjugate for the source or load impedance.In an example, an antenna can be designed to be 50 ohms to match the 50impedance of the connected radio transceiver. In such an example, returnloss can be a measure of how close to 50 ohms (or other impedance fornon-50 ohm systems) the antenna is. In the example, a return loss ofless than −10 dB can be a good match, e.g. the antenna is resonant atthat frequency or over that frequency range. Additionally, theorthogonal wings can allow the antenna to stay in resonance when mountedin a multi-gang metal junction box. In some embodiments, the metal planeand metal orthogonal wings can be formed from a single piece of bentmetal. The orthogonal wings can be spaced, for example, at least 1 mmfrom the junction box walls. In some embodiments, the antenna can beused as part of a button in a wireless sensor. In some embodiments, thepoint fed point can be used as part of the antenna and as a capacitivetouch button to eliminate the mechanical motion of the antenna.

FIGS. 17-22 depict illustrations of various views of an antenna of awireless sensor with and without an associated junction box.Specifically, FIG. 17 is an illustration of a front perspective view ofan antenna of a wireless sensor according to an embodiment; FIG. 18 isan illustration of a rear perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG.17; FIG. 19 is an illustration of a second rear perspective view of theantenna shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 20 is an illustration of a frontperspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partiallydisposed in a junction box according to an embodiment; FIG. 21 is anillustration of a rear perspective view of the antenna shown in FIG. 17at least partially disposed in a junction box according to anembodiment; and FIG. 22 is an illustration of a second rear perspectiveview of the antenna shown in FIG. 17 at least partially disposed in ajunction box according to an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 17-22, anantenna 1764 includes a metal plane 1794, orthogonal wings 1792, and apoint fed plane 1796. Also as shown in FIGS. 20-22, antenna 1764 can beat least partially disposed in a junction box 1720.

While various embodiments described herein describe a particular numberof wireless sensors, wireless repeaters, and/or network gateway devices,wireless sensor systems described herein can include any number ofwireless sensors, wireless repeaters, and/or network gateway devices,for example, to provide redundancy. By way of example, a multi-storybuilding can include a network gateway device on a top floor and on abottom floor, and each wireless sensor can include at least one path,via wireless repeaters to the network gateway device on the top floorand/or on the bottom floor.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, itshould be understood that they have been presented by way of exampleonly, and not limitation. Where methods described above indicate certainevents occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events may bemodified. Additionally, certain of the events may be performedconcurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performedsequentially as described above.

In some embodiments, the devices can include or relate to a computerstorage product with a non-transitory computer-readable medium (also canbe referred to as a non-transitory processor-readable medium) havinginstructions or computer code thereon for performing variouscomputer-implemented operations. The computer-readable medium (orprocessor-readable medium) is non-transitory in the sense that it doesnot include transitory propagating signals per se (e.g., a propagatingelectromagnetic wave carrying information on a transmission medium suchas space or a cable). The media and computer code (also can be referredto as code) may be those designed and constructed for the specificpurpose or purposes. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable mediainclude, but are not limited to: magnetic storage media such as harddisks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such asCompact Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read OnlyMemories (CD-ROMs), and holographic devices; magneto-optical storagemedia such as optical disks; carrier wave signal processing modules; andhardware devices that are specially configured to store and executeprogram code, such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM) andRandom-Access Memory (RAM) devices.

Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code ormicro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by acompiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containinghigher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using aninterpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using Java,C++, or other programming languages (e.g., object-oriented programminglanguages) and development tools. Additional examples of computer codeinclude, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, andcompressed code.

Although various embodiments have been described as having particularfeatures and/or combinations of components, other embodiments arepossible having a combination of any features and/or components from anyof the embodiments where appropriate.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a junction box definingan interior cavity; and a wireless device at least partially disposedwithin the interior cavity, the wireless device including a processor, abutton operatively coupled to the processor, a power storage componentoperatively coupled to the processor, a switch operatively coupled tothe processor, a radio operatively coupled to the processor, and anantenna operatively coupled to the radio, the wireless device configuredto be coupled to a first AC line via a first connection and to a secondAC line via a second connection, the switch coupled to the firstconnection and the second connection and configured to transitionbetween a first configuration in which power can be provided from thefirst AC line to the second AC line via the switch and a secondconfiguration in which power is not provided to the second AC line, theprocessor configured to transition the switch between the firstconfiguration and the second configuration in response to a user'sphysical interaction with the button, the radio and the antennaconfigured to communicate a value of a characteristic of the wirelessdevice to a network gateway device, the power storage componentconfigured to provide operational power to the processor.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the switch is in the secondconfiguration, a charging power is configured to be provided from thefirst AC line to the power storage component via the switch to increasea stored power level of the power storage component.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the value of the characteristic of the wireless deviceis associated with a status of the switch.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is disposed entirely within the junctionbox.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna is disposedoutside of the junction box and is coupled to the wireless devicethrough an opening in the junction box.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless device includes an energy harvester coupled to thefirst connection and to the second connection, the energy harvesterconfigured to transform a portion of a current flowing from the firstconnection to the second connection via the switch to a voltage usableby the wireless device when the switch is in the first configuration. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the wireless device includes anenergy harvester coupled to the first connection and to the secondconnection, the energy harvester configured to transform a portion of acurrent flowing from the first connection to the second connection viathe switch to a voltage usable by the wireless device when the switch isin the first configuration, the energy harvester can provide the voltageto the power storage component to increase a stored power level of thepower storage component.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thewireless device includes an energy harvester coupled to the firstconnection and to the second connection, the energy harvester configuredto transform a portion of a current flowing from the first connection tothe second connection via the switch to a voltage usable by the wirelessdevice when the switch is in the first configuration, the energyharvester can provide operational power to the processor independent ofthe power storage component.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thewireless device includes an energy harvester coupled to the firstconnection and to the second connection, the energy harvester configuredto transform a portion of a current flowing from the first connection tothe second connection via the switch to a voltage usable by the wirelessdevice when the switch is in the first configuration, the current is afirst current and the voltage is a first voltage, the energy harvesterincluding a ground wire, the energy harvester configured to trickle asecond current through the ground line and to transform a third currentflowing from the first AC line to a second voltage usable by thewireless device when the switch is in the second configuration.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the operational power is a firstoperational power, the wireless device including an energy harvesterconfigured to provide a second operational power to the processorindependent of the power storage component providing the firstoperational power to the processor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the operational power is a first operational power, thewireless device including an energy harvester configured to provide asecond operational power to the processor independent of the powerstorage component providing the first operational power to theprocessor, the energy harvester includes a solar cell.
 12. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein: the operational power is a first operational power,the wireless device including an energy harvester configured to providea second operational power to the processor independent of the powerstorage component providing the first operational power to theprocessor, an amount of the first operational power provided by thepower storage component to the processor can be based, at least in part,on an amount of the second operational power provided by the energyharvester.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless deviceincludes a current transformer, the current transformer coupled to thefirst connection such that operational power can be provided to thesecond AC line from the first AC line via the transformer and the switchwhen the switch is in the first configuration.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the wireless device includes a current transformer,the current transformer coupled to the first connection such thatoperational power can be provided to the second AC line from the firstAC line via the transformer and the switch when the switch is in thefirst configuration, the current transformer is configured to measure acurrent level of the power provided from the first AC line to the secondAC line via the current transformer when the switch is in the firstconfiguration and to send a value of the current level to the processor,the processor configured to send the value of the current level to thenetwork gateway device via the radio and the antenna.
 15. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the antenna is a first antenna portion and thejunction box is a second antenna portion, the second antenna portion isan antenna ground plane during operation of the antenna.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the antenna is a first antenna portionand the junction box is a second antenna portion, the second antennaportion is an antenna ground plane during operation of the antenna, aradio frequency ground of the radio and the second antenna portion aresubstantially electrically isolated by a dielectric such that a radiofrequency signal radiated by the first antenna portion establishes avirtual ground connection using a capacitance formed between the radiofrequency ground and an earth ground of the junction box through thedielectric.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a firstantenna portion and the junction box includes a second antenna portion.18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the antenna includes a metalplane portion, a point fed plane portion, a first metal wing portion,and a second metal wing portion, each of the first metal wing portionand the second metal wing portion is coupled to and extends orthogonallyfrom the metal plane portion and parallel to each other.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the antenna includes a metal planeportion, a point fed plane portion, a first metal wing portion, and asecond metal wing portion, each of the first metal wing portion and thesecond metal wing portion is coupled to and extends orthogonally fromthe metal plane portion and parallel to each other, the first metal wingportion and the second metal wing portion are disposed within thejunction box and the metal plane portion, and the point fed planeportion is disposed outside of the junction box.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the antenna includes a metal plane portion, a pointfed plane portion, a first metal wing portion, and a second metal wingportion, each of the first metal wing portion and the second metal wingportion is coupled to and extends orthogonally from the metal planeportion and parallel to each other, the first metal wing portion and thesecond metal wing portion are disposed within the junction box and themetal plane portion, the point fed plane portion is disposed outside ofthe junction box, the junction box is a plastic junction box and theantenna is configured to operate with a return loss of less than −7 dB.21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the antenna includes a metalplane portion, a point fed plane portion, a first metal wing portion,and a second metal wing portion, each of the first metal wing portionand the second metal wing portion is coupled to and extends orthogonallyfrom the metal plane portion and parallel to each other, the first metalwing portion and the second metal wing portion are disposed within thejunction box and the metal plane portion, the point fed plane portion isdisposed outside of the junction box, the junction box is a multi-gangjunction box and the antenna is configured to operate with a return lossof less than −7 dB.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna isa first antenna portion and the button includes a second antennaportion.
 23. An apparatus, comprising: a junction box defining aninterior cavity; and a wireless device at least partially disposedwithin the interior cavity, the wireless device including a processor, abutton operatively coupled to the processor, an AC/DC converteroperatively coupled to the processor, a switch operatively coupled tothe processor, a radio operatively coupled to the processor, and anantenna operatively coupled to the radio, the wireless device configuredto be coupled to a first AC line via a first connection, to a second ACline via a second connection, and to a neutral line via a thirdconnection, the switch coupled to the first connection and the secondconnection and configured to transition between a first configuration inwhich operational power can be provided from the first AC line to thesecond AC line via the switch and a second configuration in whichoperational power is not provided to the second AC line, the processorconfigured to transition the switch between the first configuration andthe second configuration in response to a user's physical interactionwith the button, the radio and the antenna configured to communicate avalue of a characteristic of the wireless device to a network gatewaydevice, the processor configured to receive operational power from thefirst AC line via the switch when the switch is in the secondconfiguration, the processor coupled to the neutral line via the AC/DCconverter.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the value of thecharacteristic of the wireless device is associated with a status of theswitch.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wireless device isdisposed entirely within the junction box.
 26. The apparatus of claim23, wherein the antenna is disposed outside of the junction box and iscoupled to the wireless device through an opening in the junction box.27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wireless device includes acurrent transformer, the current transformer coupled to the firstconnection such that operational power can be provided to the second ACline from the first AC line via the transformer and the switch when theswitch is in the first configuration.
 28. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein: the wireless device includes a current transformer, the currenttransformer coupled to the first connection such that operational powercan be provided to the second AC line from the first AC line via thetransformer and the switch when the switch is in the firstconfiguration, the current transformer is configured to measure acurrent level of the power provided from the first AC line to the secondAC line via the current transformer when the switch is in the firstconfiguration and to send a value of the current level to the processor,the processor configured to send the value of the current level to thenetwork gateway device via the radio and the antenna.
 29. The apparatusof claim 23, wherein the antenna is a first antenna portion and thejunction box is a second antenna portion, the second antenna portionconfigured to function as an antenna ground plane.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein: the antenna is a first antenna portion and thejunction box is a second antenna portion, the second antenna portionconfigured to function as an antenna ground plane, a radio frequencyground of the radio and the second antenna portion are substantiallyelectrically isolated by a dielectric such that a radio frequency signalradiated by the first antenna portion establishes a virtual groundconnection using a capacitance formed between the radio frequency groundand an earth ground of the junction box through the dielectric.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the antenna is a first antenna portionand the junction box includes a second antenna portion.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein: the antenna includes a metal planeportion, a point fed plane portion, a first metal wing portion, and asecond metal wing portion, each of the first metal wing portion and thesecond metal wing portion coupled to and extending orthogonally from themetal plane portion and parallel to each other.
 33. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein: the antenna includes a metal plane portion, a pointfed plane portion, a first metal wing portion, and a second metal wingportion, each of the first metal wing portion and the second metal wingportion coupled to and extending orthogonally from the metal planeportion and parallel to each other, the first metal wing portion and thesecond metal wing portion are disposed within the junction box, and themetal plane portion and the point fed plane portion are disposed outsideof the junction box.
 34. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: the antennaincludes a metal plane portion, a point fed plane portion, a first metalwing portion, and a second metal wing portion, each of the first metalwing portion and the second metal wing portion coupled to and extendingorthogonally from the metal plane portion and parallel to each other,the first metal wing portion and the second metal wing portion aredisposed within the junction box, the metal plane portion and the pointfed plane portion are disposed outside of the junction box, the junctionbox is a plastic junction box and the antenna is configured to operatewith a return loss of less than −7 dB.
 35. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein: the antenna includes a metal plane portion, a point fed planeportion, a first metal wing portion, and a second metal wing portion,each of the first metal wing portion and the second metal wing portioncoupled to and extending orthogonally from the metal plane portion andparallel to each other, the first metal wing portion and the secondmetal wing portion are disposed within the junction box, the metal planeportion and the point fed plane portion are disposed outside of thejunction box, the junction box is a multi-gang junction box and theantenna is configured to operate with a return loss of less than −7 dB.36. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the antenna is a first antennaportion and the button includes a second antenna portion.